absolute It takes the replayability of Hades and its stunning art style and combines this with the combat thrill of Streets of Rage 4. And let me tell you, this is a delicious recipe. Its popularity grew after the release of Hades 2, and Absolum established itself as one of the best action games of the year. Now would be a good time to buy, as it will be available at an absolutely unbeatable price as soon as it is released. But you need to hurry.
Until now, developer Guard Crush Games has used existing IP almost exclusively, but Absolum shows just how creatively talented the studio is. Taking a pinch of the best fantasy games and sprinkling them into a great beat-em-up framework, this game really stands out when compared to other nostalgia-focused side-scrollers like TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge and Ninjagaiden: Ragebound.
Currently sitting at a 92% viewer rating on Steam (very high ratings), Absolum is already shaping up to be one of the best indie games of the year. In the game, you choose from a variety of classes, including the dwarf, who attacks enemies with a barrage of fists and bullets, and the humanoid frog, a wizard who can surf through the air while riding a staff.
It’s all the beat ’em up stuff I’ve come to love, but its roguelike mechanics make it far more replayable than most other games. Each run begins by adding a “ritual” that grants passive bonuses or abilities to your chosen class, and as you eliminate more enemies, you unlock new enemies to equip. Even better, it also includes some of the best RPG elements, like sidequests and branching paths. I also like the fact that each character has their own unique interactions in each playthrough. This also applies to Hades.
If this all sounds exciting – and I’m sure it is – you can get Absolum for just $19.49 / £16.37 at Fanatical. That’s a whopping 22% off the retail price. As a huge fan of beat-em-up games, I’m willing to admit that the genre has gotten a little stale over the years, but I love the way Absolum has injected modern, fresh mechanics and blended two great genres into a great game.
However, Absolum’s discount ends on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at 11:00 PM PT or Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 2:00 AM ET / 7:00 AM BST, so it won’t take long to snag this deal.
If you decide to pick up Absolum, you’re going to have a great time. And you might just find yourself putting it high on your personal list of the best PC games. Or, if Absolum doesn’t sound like your vibe, check out our upcoming PC gaming guide and add a few to your wishlist.
If you love beat ’em up as much as I do, you have great taste. In fact, it’s so great that you should join the Discord server and share your favorites. However, this is not a fight club. Just to warn you. This was a mistake I personally made. But since you already know, it means you’re not afraid to talk about it.
